Windclan's Hope

Chapter 18

Stemstar sat on Tallrock. "Ratfur blatantly tried to make Squirrelfoot lose her prey during the hunt. Therefore, he will turn to his apprentice duties. Failure to do so will result in him being sent away. Does this sound right?" He asked. The whisper of a cat in his ear told him what to say. Sheepfur's hiss sounded in the crowd while Squirrelfoot, Whiteclaw and Briarfang agreed with nods.
He sat down in the clearing, it was dark now and the howling leafbare winds ruffled his fur. Stemstar shivered and watched as Ratfur laid down in a group of warriors. Owlfeather, Birchwing, Sheepfur and a few other pelts he didn't care to name. He scoffed, how could his clan turn on him? You're doing fine, Stemstar. They are just jealous of your leadership. You are one of the finest leaders already, even as young as you are. The cat in his ear mewed. Who even are you? Stemstar replied, this cat had started talking to him this moon but he had no idea who they were. I didn't introduce myself. I am Whitestar. The leader of Windclan before Cedarstar and Bramblestar before yourself. Whitestar said. Stemstar nodded and slunk into his den. Briarfang who had been keeping guard at the entrance of camp swapped places with Squirrelfoot for the night.
Stemstar stretched, it was dawn now and he'd barely slept all night. "Sheepfur, Birdnose, Littlewhisker and I will take the sunhigh patrol. Rabbitstrike and Owlfeather take all the apprentices out of camp. Ratfur will clean all the dens out." Whiteclaw announced. The clan separated, but Stemstar heard a yowl. Sheepfur was standing muzzle to muzzle with Birdnose. Littlewhisker and Briarfang lined up with Birdnose but Rabbitstrike and Birchwing were lined with Sheepfur. Stemstar lifted himself to his paws as the six cats leapt into battle. Suddenly the camp tore into battle, Ratfur leapt onto him quickly. Stemstar reared and fell back, letting Ratfur lose his breath. Twisting he saw Ratfur being dragged away by Lakespirit. He turned, leaping onto the tom and biting his throat angrily. He heard Squirrelfoot's shriek and kicked Ratfur away. Seedstalk and Lakespirit battled Ratfur alone. Before he could get there Talonheart was there. He leapt onto Rabbitstrike and ripped him off. Whitepaw had grabbed onto Talonheart's tail and was dragging him. Stemstar leapt forwards and grabbed him by the scruff, setting him down in the apprentice den. "Turtleheart and Ivypaw, make sure the apprentice's stay here!" He called and watched as the medicine cats rushed over. Stemstar gathered Cloudpaw, Eaglepaw and Leafpaw into the den and darted away. Doveface was hidden in the back of the nursery, her eyes wide. Stemstar approached the den quickly. "Are you okay?" He spoke quickly, aware of Birchwing and Seedstalk rolling towards them. "Birchwing doesn't support you but I do. i dont want our kit to be raised in this separation. Please save Windclan." She wailed. Stemstar nodded. "I will." He promised.
Stemstar leapt onto Ratfur and dragged him onto Tallrock. "Stop!" He screeched, pinning the tom down. "From now on this cat is exiled from the clan. Anyone who decides they want to go with him can but if you are caught on this territory you will be treated as an outsider." He announced and shoved the struggling tom off the rock. "Im going with them." Rabbitstrike hissed. "Me too." Birchwing flicked his tail. "Birchwing seems to forget about his kit and mate." Birdnose snarled. The tan tom's eyes widened and he looked at the nursery where Doveface's eyes blazed. "Not anymore. Birchwing is nothing to me and Willowkit." She spat and turned back into the darkness of the den. Stemstar's whiskers twitched.
Six cats left camp just after sunhigh. Sheepfur, Ratfur, Rabbitstrike, Whitepaw, Birchwing, and Owlfeather. Whitepaw was convinced he had to stay with Rabbitstrike and keep learning. Stemstar laid in his nest, sniffling. How could he cause such a wreck of his clan? The next morning, Squirrelfoot appeared at the entrance of his den, her pelt bristled. "Seedstalk and Talonheart were hunting before dark and not long of them gone and Whitepaw is back. He is sick, claims to have eaten a rat." She reported. "Send him to Turtleheart's den." He replied, not looking up. "Turtleheart won't treat him until you say so yourself." She mewed. "Fine." Stemstar sighed and padded into the dark clearing. "Turtleheart, treat him please." He mewed into the den. She nodded and turned. "Okay, Ivypaw make him eat some yarrow and then some juniper berries. If the juniper doesn't help by dawn then give him some mallow instead." Turtleheart said. Ivypaw rushed to the herb stores and grabbed the few herbs.